Ageing is inevitable, but decaying is optional

SONY DSC

No matter your age, your physical state – and your associated mental alertness, emotional self-esteem and spiritual contentment – are down to you. YOU can decide how young you want to look, feel, move and act.

There can be no greater testimony to the Choi Kwang Do system than the conditioning of Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi himself. His abilities are those of a man in his early twenties yet he is now in his 7th decade. It’s hard to question his claim that he’ll be ‘Younger next Year’!

He is not alone; there are numerous examples of such achievement. Mrs Hyum Ja Kong earned her Black Belt at the age of 90!!

Here, at Hampshire Choi Kwang Do, we have had the pleasure of helping several students in their 70s achieve the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt.

What can Choi Kwang Do do for you?

Our 60+ programmes have been specially designed for more mature adults: we start where you are, at your level of fitness and flexibility. You will find that our classes help to relieve stress and get you fitter in a fun and enjoyable environment. Our programmes work on you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Physical shape: Choi Kwang Do will help you lose fat and gain muscle, redefining your body shape in a safe, positive, fun and supportive atmosphere. We cannot promise miracles, but we do believe that you will look and feel years younger – for years to come!

Physical strength: if you ever need to, Choi Kwang Do will enable you to defend yourself. That is true for women just as much as for men, for older people just as much as younger. The martial arts moves you will learn will arm you with a sense of security.

Mental strength: the discipline that underpins Choi Kwang Do, and the goal-orientated nature of our programmes, will develop your mental strength. This will spill over into all areas of your life, enhancing your work practices, your relationships and your achievements in every other sphere.

Emotional development: self-esteem can be an issue at any age, but you will sense from the above that Choi Kwang Do will give you a hugely enhanced sense of self, and feeling of self-worth, that your self-esteem will be transformed.

Emotional support: in Choi Kwang Do, we work together – there are no winners and losers – and we all – instructors and other students – support each other to achieve our goals.

Spiritual development: many students, who come to Choi Kwang Do for the physical benefits, discover in time that these broaden into mental, emotional and even spiritual areas. A heightened sense of enlightenment is not mandatory, but every student will feel differently about themselves and the world through Choi Kwang Do.

You probably have questions………..

Will I get hit? No, there is no sparring in CKD because we believe that it only induces aggression and stress. Competitive sparring encourages you to stand toe-to-toe with an assailant, usually conducted under a set of safety rules and often controlled by a referee. This scenario is far from the reality of a real-life assault and bad habits can easily form under these constraints. In CKD, we gradually introduce you to a series of structured ‘Defence Drills’, to develop your skills of deflective blocking and avoidance. Your partner will simulate an attack at an intensity gauged to allow for the development of countering techniques – aimed at disabling your attacker and enabling evasion.

Do I need flexibility to kick high?

No, our practical and effective techniques only require a natural range of movement. Your flexibility will develop naturally and without conscious focus, as you engage in the numerous drills we teach you. Our warm-up stretching component, at the start of each class, will ensure your flexibility makes steady progress as you train. However, kicking high is not a requirement and is considered generally impractical for self-defence purposes.

How often do I come to class? That is entirely up to you: some students attend once a week; some come every day. Whilst it is true to say that the more you practise, the faster you will develop, why not start slowly and build up?

Do I need to be fit to start? Whilst we would always support a healthy, active lifestyle in everyone, no, there are no pre-requisites at all. We will make sure that the classes you attend and the exercises you are asked to do, are appropriate for where you are now.

Can I try it? Yes, you – and we – need to make sure that your needs and goals match our programme, so we would start you on a trial programme.

Thank you for your interest in Hampshire Choi Kwang Do: if you have any other questions, we will be glad to answer any you might send to info@hampshireckd.com

Why not try it out? We cannot do the benefits of Choi Kwang Do justice in words, so why not book a free introductory class and see for yourself what you could achieve. Please call us free on 0800 990 3071 where we guarantee to greet you with a friendly welcome.

Adults 60+

A martial art with a difference, ie. it was designed to avoid injury!
As a founder member of the baby boomer generation exercise has been important to me throughout life, usually by way of various sporting activities. In recent years this has been somewhat curtailed by a knee injury. Looking around for a suitable activity with which to stay fit I was told about Choi Kwang-Do, a martial art with a difference, ie. it was designed to avoid injury. Taking that on trust it was nevertheless with some trepidation that I thought I would give it a go. I need not have been concerned as training is incremental and done at a pace that suits the individual. So far, after six months, I am generally fitter and not only no damage, but the knee is if anything becoming more stable; this plus a bonus of noticeably increased mental awareness, stamina, sense of balance and greater confidence in my ability to cope with the stresses of life. My work as a nutritional therapist has given me an understanding that good health is predicated upon some basic foundations these being nutrition, of course, but also exercise, mental and spiritual health, life style, sleep and rest. It is my experience that Choi Kwang-Do makes an excellent contribution to these latter elements. Then another bonus – it’s great fun, especially trying to keep up with the high octane energy output of youngsters although that is not obligatory. All in an orderly, disciplined environment where all students of all ages are both shown and taught respect, high standards of conduct expected and the encouragement of others is the order of the day. To repeat –it’s great fun and the only way to find out if it would be fun for you is to give it a try!
Tim Walden

J. Winney
MY CHOI JOURNEY.
I have always been a late developer; I left school at fifteen with no qualifications. At 40 years of age having worked with homeless people I was selected to attend Southampton University and study for a diploma in social work studies (if I had waited a year it became a degree!). After completion I was employed by Hampshire County Council as a Probation Officer, working with all ages of people in the county and in Prisons! I did this for 19 years when on Christmas Day at home with my family I suffered a stroke. This put paid to continuing work, although I had not lost the use of my limbs I had lost the use of my brain (I was forever confused.com!) I stopped work at 60 years of age unable to fulfill my obligation to the service. I had to seek new challenges as I am a busy person and like to be occupied.
I was diagnosed with Lupus in my twenties and have lived with this condition all my life it is when the body attacks itself, it left me with stiff joints pains in my hands and resulted in Arthritis, I was often in a lot of pain the only way I knew how to deal with this without taking steroids was to keep active.
I joined the local Bowls club where I made many new friends and became the Club Secretary, I still enjoy bowling.
Then after attending a class for speeding motorists ( rather than take the points)I met a very attractive and fit young lady who told me about attending Choi Kwang Do classes and the benefits, she told me she was very confident in herself learning to protect herself whilst getting fit. I was interested and in the break, she gave me a pass for a month’s free trial. What had I to Lose!!
I attended my first session with trepidation at West End centre and was made to feel very welcome and I decided to give it a go!
I must admit I found it a bit difficult to start so much information! But I was gently guided through the belts am now a red belt (who would have thought!) I intend to be a black belt before my 70th birthday next year (told you I was a late developer!)
The benefits have been endless I walk tall and not afraid to be on my own anywhere! I have no joint pain and I consider Choi has also helped my memory! I have better recall now. If not for a Speeding Drivers Course I would not have found this Martial Art that has helped me so much!
I would recommend Choi to anyone, age is not a barrier. What have you got to lose!
It is good to have a target in life –Mine is the Black Belt with my name on! What’s yours?
Mrs Jeni Winney